Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has issued a bold challenge to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to swear with the Holy Quran to prove his innocence in the state’s banditry crisis.
This comes after Lawal accused Matawalle of sponsoring banditry and money laundering during his tenure as governor.
Matawalle, appearing on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, recalled how he had previously sworn with the Quran, stating, “I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry…
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Let me remind you, I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath that means they are part of it.”
Lawal had earlier demanded Matawalle’s resignation, saying, “If I were him, I would resign and face all the allegations against me… How will he have all these allegations against him and he is still the minister of defence?” Matawalle responded, “They should bring any proof of that.”
The Minister of State for Defence clarified that his dialogue with bandits was not unique, as other governors, including those of Niger and Sokoto states, had done the same. He emphasized, “Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.” The challenge now lies with Governor Lawal to take the oath and clear his name.